Out of the Box

75 degrees and sunny! That is the typical weather this time of year here in South Carolina; a little different than the Wisconsin weather we experienced last year. Because of the beautiful sunny weather, it has made it difficult for Mike and I to believe that the holidays are just right around the corner. Yet, indeed they are!

The fast approaching holidays often inspire me to reflect on the year; from Wisconsin to Chicago, Omaha to Isle of Roatan, Florida to South Carolina. We have certainly done our share of traveling this year. In the midst of all the traveling, God has been good to refine us and teach us the difficult lessons we have needed to learn. One lesson we have relearned is how God provides for our every need. It might not be exactly what we expect or in our timing, but God truly does desire to give us the best and nothing but the best. To be honest, this has been a very difficult lesson for me to relearn. So often this summer I have questioned God asking him if he is really listening to my pleading prayers, yet slowly, over time I have been able to see God answer my prayers. The answers haven't been in the form in which we have expected and I am thankful for that, but the Lord has always answered and blessed us in one way or another.

While we are still waiting on God's timing for full time ministry positions and we are still living with my parents, God has provided a temporary holiday job for me. I am working at the local men's homeless shelter inputting holiday donation data. Even though this is a temporary job, I have loved the opportunity to learn more about homelessness. It if funny, I never would have imagined me working there or even doing a data entry job (I hate numbers!), yet I am enjoying every day of it. I am thankful to have a job! Mike has also been blessed with a temporary job. He is working at the University of South Carolina on the painting crew. It is hard work and he often comes home exhausted, yet, once again, he is thankful to be employed.

Even though our circumstances may be different right now then what we would have hoped for at this time of our lives, it has been incredible to see how God has provided. Isn't it amazing how God provides for us when we are willing to humble ourselves and step out of the box that we have imagined for ourselves. God's box is so much bigger!